Another Successful Pantry Dinner

One of my favorite meals to create is using what I have in the pantry and fridge. I find it challenging and fun. Most of the best meals I have created have come from I find in my fridge and pantry. Unfortunately, while digging deep into the back of the fridge I sometimes find a science experiment gone wrong, very wrong....

This time was a little different because I was at my sisters for a weekend visit. I actually brought items from my fridge that I did not want to go to waste while we were away. One of the items was raw chicken tenders. I originally was going to put a breading coating on the chicken, but then I remembered my sister gave up bread for Lent. The first thing I saw in her cupboard was Ritz crackers. Perfect!

I simply finely crushed the crackers and mixed them with finely grated parmesan, pepper and garlic salt. I dipped the chicken in raw egg that I scrambled and then the coated it with the Ritz mixture. I placed the tenders on a wire rack that was on a backing sheet. I baked them 450 for 20 minutes. They were so good!

For another snack, I made a simple bacon and cheese quesadilla using the leftover cooked bacon from our breakfast.

In hindsight, although the quesadillas were delicious, I wish I had put the bacon in the Ritz mixture. Next time......

So I made a bunch of Corned Beef & Cabbage, now what?

I am proud to say I successfully made my first batch of corned beef and cabbage.

No I did not make green bread too, I bought it.

I never was a fan of boiled anything, let alone beef. But this was so good. Tender slice of beef that had been simmering in a mixture of spices, garlic, thyme and veggies for hours. It was incredible. I made it for my hardworking man (Kevin) who loves corned beef and cabbage. He said it was better than his and he's a chef! Wether he meant it or not, I'll take it.

But I found myself with a pot full of stock and veggies. Not to mention a big chunk of beef. Now what?

Before I went to bed last night I separated the beef, veggies and stock. I figured I would sleep on it.

The obvious thing to make first was a sandwich of corned beef, ground mustard with horseradish, cabbage and swiss cheese. What could make it better? Panini press of course. This was Kevin's lunch and he loved it.

But I still have a lot of veggies and stock. Not too much beef, Kevin had seconds the night before. By chance I found a coupon for Pillsbury Grand Biscuits, you know the kind that is in the tube that pops when you open it. Perfect! I am going to make mini hand pies with cabbage, beef, mustard and cheese. I can freeze them unbaked for a few months. I may have to bake at least one to make sure they taste good, its what I like to call "quality control.

However, I still have the veggies and stock. So I am thinking I might make soup with both or .......

What do you do with your leftovers from St. Patrick's Day?

Big Sur on a Budget, is it possible? Yes!

One of my most favorite places to getaway to is Big Sur. It always takes away my stress and worries. We have not been in awhile, so a trip there is long over due.

There are only two drawbacks to Big Sur:

1. Not very dog friendly
2. Not very cheap

So over the years we have found ways to make Big Sur affordable. As for the dogs, Ill get back to how we have over come that hurdle.

Fortunately we only live about 45 minutes from Big Sur, so a day trip is easy.

Our most favorite stop for food in Big Sur is the Big Sur Bakery. However with quiche at almost $9 a slice and other out of this world food, it can get expensive fast. So we simply share a few of our favorites- a slice of quiche, a jelly donut, frittata and whatever else looks amazing.

It is no exaggeration when it is said that that they have the World's Best Jelly Donut. It is a dense cake like dough filled with a homemade jelly of fresh fruit. We usually get two, it is that good.

As for the quiche, it makes my chef boyfriend angry with envy every time we have it. It drives him crazy that he cannot figure out how they make it so good. He truly appreciates the talent it has taken to make it so incredible.

Yes, it is that GOOD.

They also serve our favorite local coffee, ACME Coffee from Seaside.

Another stop we enjoy is Nepenthe. We enjoy stopping there for a great Bloody Mary or ice tea and a basket of fries while enjoying an amazing view.  Another great stop for good beer and a burger (big enough to split for a snack) is The Maiden Publik House. Its small with a great Pub atmosphere with affordable food. We always stop on our way out of town.

As for lodging, we usually camp. We love the outdoors and nothing beats sitting by the fire in the redwoods in one of the most beautiful places on earth. It also allows us to take the dogs. We try to stay at  State Parks when there is spots available. We never make reservations, we usually drive down when we need to getaway. We have always found a spot to camp at, wether it is at a State Park, Park Management Parks or private campgrounds.

Of course there are a places that are great for splurges- Ventana Inn and Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn. We have enjoyed an amazing dinner at Sierra Mar, but we had split the prix fix menu and it was still expensive, but worth every penny. We cant wait to be able to do it again. Both Ventana Inn and Sierra Mar have the views that Big Sur. is known for.

So with all of that said- Kevin (chef boyfriend) and I are taking my Mom to Big Sur tomorrow to share some of favorite stops in Big Sur:

• Big Sur Bakery- for quiche and jelly donuts
• Spirit Garden- always find interesting "stuff" there
• Julia Pfieffer Falls- the fall will be bursting into the ocean with all the rain
• Nepenthe- Bloody Mary & ice tea for us and Ramos Fizz for Mom
• Hiking
• Publik House- beer, burger and fish & chips

And whatever else we feel like.

As for the dogs, Dad has offered to "dog sit" them for the day. Thanks Dad!